Pocketful of coke and a spontaneous statement

Alleged dealer busted outside donut shop at midnight

Escondido police say they arrested a man in the parking lot of the donut shop down the street from headquarters, his pocket allegedly bulging with drugs.

José Luis Fonseca, 23, pleaded not guilty to possession of cocaine for sale today, April 28.

At a court hearing this morning, officer Sean Davidson said it was a little after midnight when in the early morning of March 18 he approached a car parked at the corner of 9th Avenue and Escondido Boulevard.

Fonseca was seated in the front passenger seat, and Officer Davidson said he noticed a “large bulge” in the front left pocket of the man’s pants. The subject “made a spontaneous statement that it was cocaine,” the cop told a judge.

Fonseca had more than 17 grams of cocaine in a plastic baggie, plus a scale, and $131 cash in that pocket, the officer testified.

Detective Barry Sweeney, who said he is a 40-year veteran with Escondido PD and works with the local DEA task force, told the court he is “familiar” with the arrest location.

“That’s Peterson’s donut shop.” The detective said the local pastry vendor is not involved in illegal activity, but “drug sales do take place in that parking lot.” He characterized the neighborhood as “a high-crime drug area.”

The detective said that 17 grams of cocaine is 3400 “dosage units” and that a quarter gram of cocaine “goes for 20 dollars.” The purity of the drug is not a factor in price, according to detective Sweeney, “They always say it’s the best.”

Fonseca was ordered to face two felony drug charges, is held in lieu of $65,000 bail, and is next due in San Diego County’s North County Superior Courthouse on May 22.

José Luis Fonseca, 23, admitted felony possession of cocaine for sale on the date set for his trial, June 17, and was immediately released from custody.
As part of the plea deal, Fonseca hopes to have his case diverted into “drug court,” which means his case could eventually be dismissed upon successful completion of that program.
Honorable judge William S. Dato ordered the admitted drug dealer released from custody and set his next court dates for July 10 and August 7, in San Diego County’s North County Superior Courthouse.